Friendly FireWhat has been very disappointing and demoralizing in recent times are the emails, social media posts and the broader media attacks upon DVA, the ESORT and the ADSO. Especially are the attacks on individuals and ESO leaders for not being supportive of the...
Government
RCB Update 4/2019 – Action Changes Things
Facts from the Aust and Malaysian Governments’ records prove that RCB’s operational deployment (1970-1989) to protect the RAAF assets at Air Base Butterworth against the communist terrorists threat during Malaysia’s Counter Insurgency War (1968-1989) was warlike. READ...
‘I have known utter despair’: Thousands of veterans on wrong level of benefit, say advocates
Thousands of defence force veterans are likely on the wrong level of benefit or are missing out on injury payments they are entitled to due to the complexity and difficulty of dealing with the claims system, according to leading lawyers and advocates. As the federal...
New Liberal MP vows to fight for veterans
One of Australia's newest members of parliament has vowed to fight for veterans during his time in politics. The new Liberal MP for the Tasmanian seat of Braddon, Gavin Pearce, reflected on his time in the army during his first speech to parliament, saying too many...
Veterans’ Affairs chief promises change within the next year
The head of the Department of Veterans' Affairs has vowed to walk away from the job if she can't improve ex-defence personnel's experiences with the beleaguered agency within the next year. Liz Cosson has also promised to change the adversarial culture of the agency,...
Phillip Thompson OAM MP – Address to 46th Parliament
It is a tremendous honour to stand before the 46th Parliament as a representative for the people of Herbert—Townsville—to speak for the first time in this chamber. I would like to start by acknowledging our current and former Defence Force members, our brothers who...
ADF Retirees Association – DFRDB Update – June 2019
The Australian Defence Force Retirees Association (ADFRA) acts on behalf of Defence Force retirees and their military superannuation grievances. Related Article: 50,000 veterans fired up over pension ‘shortfall’ The Australian 28th June 2019 " Hi All, We assume that...
ABC News – Veterans put ‘through a lot of hoops’ in bid to claim compensation, minister says
The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) has been "too adversarial" when it comes to handling the compensation claims of former defence personnel, Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester says. Key points: Veterans' Affairs Minister Darren Chester...
ABC TV 7.30 Report – Duty of Care
Calls for royal commission over the rate of veteran suicides There are growing calls for a royal commission into the rate of suicide among military veterans. An official estimate is there have been more than 370 suicides involving current or former defence personnel...
Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Summit Statement – Darren Chester
"Thank you for your attendance here today (26th June 2019). You’re here because you have expert knowledge in mental health, suicide prevention and the potential impacts of military service on individuals and their families. Today’s an opportunity to take stock of...